General Chat

Julie, if you were ill and needed years of expensive life saving treatment, you would expect tax payers to fund that. Not all old people will need to go into care,so it,s unfair to penalise people who have illnesses relating to age.

Giving people the right to buy a council house was a very shrewd move. Lots of people who had no or very few assets now own property so that they may pay for their own care if they need it, or for the government to clobber inheritors with tax if they died with enough credit. I thought we all paid national insurance to cover care, health and pension costs, but it's now apparent we don't. It's just another form of taxation being taken under false pretences. Thank you, I'll pipe down now!

well said teresa and margaret, i worked in a home for the elderly, quite often on my own because the owners were always traverling around the world etc, you cannot justify 350.00 plus a week,have you seen how much the elderly eat for a start,most of us would pay that for a all inclusive holiday abroad. the tax you pay every day of your life should cover it,even unemployed pay taxes one way or another.

Margaret I can kind of see your point but it was their choice to save and pay off their mortgage. Why should I, who had no input in their decision, have to pay for their care when chances are I'm not even going to get a pension just so they can leave money to their children? Julie xxx

well said Margaret!

in our area, care can cost between £350 and £700 per week, so there is no excuse for lack of care , poor wages etc. Have you seen the amount of oversees holidays, some of these 'owners' of care homes have? It's big business.

I think it was mentioned in the budget that it will soon be free for everyone. Claire

my parents were very carefull with their money. Dad died at 55 so mum lives alone. Now approaching 70. Why should she have to sell her house to keep herself in a home when the likes of my inlaws, who never saved a penny in their lives were well looked after in their old age. In theory they could be living in the same place, one paying over £300 a week and one paying sod all and getting pocket money as well. Claire

Yes, the elderly should have to sell their homes if necessary. Then perhaps care homes might be the sort of places the elderly would wish to retire to, where they are treated well and respected. Where they are not over medicated, where the staff are well paid and consequently wish to remain in their jobs.

I think the moral of the story is spend spend spend and enjoy it while you got it.

very emotive subject! my parents are elderly and mum needs care. because dad worked hard and saved , he has to shell out. Next door dont, but choose to spend their money on a holiday home in Cyprus, which they now let out. he'd pay every penny he had to get the right care, but it is a totally unfair system. my pet hate - 4 wheel drive 'chelsea tractors and matching caravan ' on the forcourt of a council house- same kind of thing really. Jess

Thanks girls. Like I say, two sides to every story. nicely put, Teresa. Happy days

Ah, but did those people have little or no savings because they spent it all? Accepted some people are always going to need more help than others, but why should others be penalised because they have been thrifty and well managed throughout their lives?

I must say I am with Julie on this one. People who are fortunate enough to have a few bob are happy to pay for private medical care and private schooling for their kids, but not for their own care when they are elderly. What is the difference? Suzy

Good. a disgreement to start with. Happy days best wishes.

I don't understand why my taxes should go towards keeping someone in a residential care home so that when they die their children can have a holiday in Barbados, a new car and their mortgage paid off! I am, however, happy for my taxes to go towards caring for the elderly who have little or no savings and no assets. Julie xxx

As a non-smoking;non drinking; non gambling; and can,t find any loose women; saver, is it right that eventually I should spend my savings on a nursing home and possibly sell my home. I saved for my childrens benefit. Paid tax; will pay capital gains and inheritance tax (probably). From what I,m told, if i lived in Scotland i wouldn,t be asking this question. All the above doesn,t seem right to me, but realise their are two sides to any argument. Happy days